Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in North Carolina 2023 Update

NC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in North Carolina 2023 Division of Public Health Data Updated March 7, 2024

Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Technical Notes Surveillance methods have been updated to identify any mention of an injury in our morbidity data sources. Individual records with multiple injuries listed will be included in the total for each of those injuries but only counted once for overall total injury count. Previously, only the first listed injury was counted, which has resulted in an increase in the number of specific injuries identified. For questions or for more information, see technical notes document available at https://www.injuryfreenc.ncdhhs.gov/DataSurveillance/ Case Definitions used: *Data is limited to unintentional motor vehicle traffic (MVT) Deaths ICD-10 codes listed as cause of death [V02 V04](.1,.9), V09.2, [V12 V14](.3 .9), V19(.4 .6), [V20 V28](.3 .9), [V29 V79](.4 .9), V80(.3 .5), V81.1, V82.1, [V83 V86](.0 .3), V87(.0 .8), V89.2 *See technical notes document for a full list of ICD-10 codes for TBI deaths NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 2

Technical Notes, Continued Hospitalizations Among records with an ICD-10-CM injury code*, any mention of the following ICD-10-CM codes (includes records resulting in death) Emergency Department Visits Any mention of the following ICD- 10-CM codes (includes records resulting in hospitalization or death) V02.1, V02.9, V03.1, V03.9, V04.1, V04.9, V09.2, V09.3 MVT Pedestrian V12-V14 (.3-.9), V19.4-V19.6, V19.9 MVT Pedal cycle V20-V28 (.3-.9), V29.4-V29.9 MVT Motorcycle V30-V79 (.4-.9), V83-V86 (.0-.3), V87.0-V87.8, V89.2 MVT Occupant V80.3-V80.5, V81.1, V82.1 MVT Other *7th character of A, B, or missing (reflects initial encounter, active treatment) *See technical notes document for a full list of ICD-10-CM injury diagnosis codes NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 3

Overview Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic (MVT) Death Unintentional MVT Morbidity Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits Resources oUnintentional MVT Injury/Harm data are available at https://injuryfreenc.dph.ncdhhs.gov/DataSurveillance/MVCData.htm oFor custom data requests see https://injuryfreenc.dph.ncdhhs.gov/DataSurveillance/DataRequest Policy.htm NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 4

Unintentional MVT death is the third leading cause of injury-related death Poisoning - Unintentional Fall - Unintentional Mvt - Unintentional Firearm - Self-Inflicted Firearm - Assault Suffocation - Self-Inflicted Poisoning - Self-Inflicted Suffocation - Unintentional Unspecified - Unintentional Fire/Burn - Unintentional All Other Injury Deaths 4,286 2,007 1,757 1,005 739 331 210 197 159 134 880 Limited to NC Residents, 2023 Source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics-Deaths (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 5

Proportion of demographic groups reporting always wearing a seatbelt, 2023 BRFSS Overall 91.7% Overall 91.7% Income <15K Income 15-24.9K Income 25-34.9K Income 35-49.9K Income 50-74.9K Income 75K+ Male Female 18-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Disability No Disability 94.8% 88.2% 89.4% 88.4% 91.2% 87.7% 94.8% 87.6% 90.3% 91.6% 94.4% 92.1% 91.6% 92.6% 90.4% 91.9% 94.3% 94.8% 96.1% Veteran Non-Veteran Urban 89.4% Suburban Rural 92.9% Source: NC State Center of Health Statistics, 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Survey Results NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 6

Proportion of groups reporting driving while having had too much to drink,* 2023 BRFSS Overall 2.2% Overall 2.2% Male 2.7% Disability 3.1% Female 1.7% No Disabilty 1.9% 18-34 3.9% Urban 2.3% College Graduate 1.9% Rural 2.8% Non-Veteran 2.1% *in the last 30 days Source: NC State Center of Health Statistics, 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Survey Results NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 7

Unintentional MVT deaths are the tip of the iceberg 1,757 Deaths 7,495 Despite NC s excellent reporting systems, the totalburden of MVT injury in the state is unknown. Hospitalizations 121,930 ED Visits ? EMS ? Outpatient Visits ? Medically Unattended Injuries INJURY ICEBERG INJURY ICEBERG INJURY ICEBERG INJURY ICEBERG Limited to NC Residents, 2023 Source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics-Deaths (2023) and Hospitalization Discharge Data (2023); NC DETECT (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023

Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Deaths

Unintentional MVT deaths have continued to increase from 2014 to 2023 Number of Deaths 1,867 2,000 1,796 1,757 1,701 1,800 1,540 1,567 1,462 1,472 1,469 1,600 1,338 1,400 1,200 1,000 31% increase 800 600 400 200 0 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Limited to NC Residents, 2023 Source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics-Deaths (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 10

Rates of unintentional MVT deaths were highest among men and non-Hispanic American Indians Rate of Unintentional MVT Deaths by Demographic Group, 2023 Rate per 100,000 60.0 51.1 50.0 40.0 30.0 23.1 19.6 20.0 15.7 15.5 9.7 10.0 5.3 0.0 Female Male AI/AN NH Asian NH Black NH Hispanic White NH Other NH Limited to NC residents, 2023, N=1,757; NH-non-Hispanic; Rate not calculated for Other, NH Race/ethnicity was unknown for 5 (<0.1%) injury deaths. Source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics-Deaths (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 11

Unintentional MVT death rates are highest among those ages 20 to 24 years old Rate of Unintentional MVT Deaths by Age Group, 2023 Rate per 100,000 23.0 25 22.1 20.721.5 20.8 18.019.0 20 15.1 14.4 15 10 2.9 5 2.3 2.0 * 0 <1 01-04 05-09 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 >84 Limited to NC Residents, 2023, N=1,757 Source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics-Deaths (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 12

Most unintentional MVT deaths with a known sub- cause were pedestrians killed in an MVT incident Percent of MVT Injury Deaths by Known Subcause, 2023 Percent of Deaths Unspecified 58.6% Pedestrian 15.1% Occupant 11.9% Motorcyclist 12.4% Pedal Cyclist 2.0% Other 0.0% Limited to NC Residents, 2023, N=1,757 Source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics-Deaths (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 13

Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Hospitalizations

Unintentional MVT hospitalizations increased by 8% from 2019 to 2023 Number of Hospitalizations 7,496 7,495 8,000 7,161 7,073 6,966 7,000 6,000 5,000 8% increase 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Limited to NC Residents, 2019-2023 Source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Hospitalization Discharge Data (2019-2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 15

Unintentional MVT hospitalization rates were highest among men and NH American Indians Rate of Unintentional MVT Hospitalizations by Demographic Group, 2023 Rate per 100,000 120.0 103.2 100.0 89.2 88.3 80.0 65.2 54.2 50.7 60.0 40.0 19.1 20.0 0.0 Female Male AI/AN NH Asian NH Black NH Hispanic White NH Other NH Limited to NC residents, 2023, N=7,495; NH-non-Hispanic; Rate not calculated for Other NH Sex was unknown for 5 (<0.1%) injury hospitalizations and race/ethnicity was unknown for 162 (<0.1%) injury hospitalizations. Source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Hospitalization Discharge Data (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 16

Rates of unintentional MVT hospitalizations are highest among adults 75 and older Rate of Unintentional MVT Hospitalizations by Age Group, 2023 Rate per 100,000 120 109.2 95.6 88.391.6 100 80.5 70.174.671.2 72.3 80 60 40 14.1 14.418.319.8 20 0 <1 01-04 05-09 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 >84 Limited to NC residents, 2023, N=7,495 Source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Hospitalization Discharge Data (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 17

MVT-Occupant was the leading sub-cause for unintentional MVT hospitalizations Percent of Unintentional MVT Injury Hospitalizations by Known Subcause, 2023 Percent of Hospitalizations Occupant 73.2% Motorcyclist 15.9% Pedestrian 8.0% Pedal Cyclist 2.9% Other 0.0% Limited to NC residents, 2023, N=7,495 Source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Hospitalization Discharge Data (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 18

Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Emergency Department Visits

Unintentional MVT ED visits decreased by 2% from 2019 to 2023 Number of ED Visits 140,000 124,932 121,930 111,991 120,000 105,482 96,872 100,000 80,000 2% decrease 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Limited to NC residents, 2019-2023 Source: NC DETECT (2019-2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 20

Rates of unintentional MVT ED visits were highest among women and NH Black residents Rate of Unintentional MVT ED Visits by Demographic Group, 2023 Rate per 100,000 2,500 2,266.9 2,000 1,427.4 1,500 1,162.31,078.7 951.9 1,000 730.0 347.2 500 0 Female Male AI/AN NH Asian NH Black NH Hispanic White NH Other NH Limited to NC residents, 2023, N=121,930; Rate not calculated for Other NH - non-Hispanic; sex was unknown for 415 (<0.1%) injury ED visits and race/ethnicity was unknown for 2,679 (<0.1%) injury ED visits. Source: NC DETECT (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 21

Adults ages 20-24 have the highest rates of unintentional MVT ED Visits Rate of Unintentional MVT ED Visits by Age Group, 2023 Rate per 100,000 2,500 1,905.8 2,000 1,693.2 1,576.3 1,378.7 1,500 1,116.4 931.7 828.1 1,000 611.9561.3 591.4619.0 687.8617.9 500 0 <1 01-04 05-09 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 >84 Age was unknown for 697 ED visits Limited to NC residents, 2023, N=121,930 Source: NC DETECT (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 22

MVT-Occupant was the leading sub-cause for unintentional MVT ED visits Percent of Unintentional MVT Injury ED Visits by Known Subcause, 2023 Percent of ED Visits Occupant 93.5% Motorcyclist 3.6% Pedal Cyclist 1.7% Pedestrian 1.3% Other 0.0% Limited to NC residents, 2023, N=121,930 Source: NC DETECT (2023) Analysis by Injury Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 23

Summary of Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injury in North Carolina In 2023, motor vehicle traffic-related injuries resulted in: Almost 1,800 deaths Nearly 7,500 hospitalizations Over 121,000 emergency department visits Most MVT-related injuries and deaths occur among male, Black, and American Indian residents Rates of MVT-related injuries are highest in the 20-24, 25- 34, and 85 and older age groups *See technical notes document for a full list of ICD-10 codes for TBI deaths NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 24

Where to find more data on motor vehicle traffic-related death and injury? NC Injury and Violence Prevention Branch Motor Vehicle Traffic Injury Data NC Vision Zero Initiative Data and Analytics Dashboard State Center for Health Statistics (SCHS) Death Certificate Data NC Health Data Query System CDC WISQARS Fatal Injury and Violence Data NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 25

IVPB Data Support now available! Book time with an IVPB epidemiologist to discuss available data products, to talk through custom data requests, or for general data questions. IVPB Data Request Policy IVPB Data Support Bookings NCDHHS, Division of Public Health | Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic Injuries in NC, 2023 26

Questions? InjuryData@dhhs.nc.gov Injury and Violence Prevention Branch NCDHHS Division of Public Health www.injuryfreenc.dph.ncdhhs.gov